Every weekend, in basements and parking lots across the country, young men with good white-collar jobs and absent fathers take off their shoes and shirts and fight each other barehanded for as long as they have to. Then they go back to those jobs with blackened eyes and loosened teeth and the sense that they can handle anything. Fight Club is the invention of Tyler Durden, projectionist, waiter and dark, anarchic genius. And it's only the beginning of his plans for revenge on a world where cancer support groups have the corner on human warmth. (19970812)
Fight Club
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
"Hypnotic, pitiless and told brilliantly" (Bret Easton Ellis )
"An outrageously suspenseful apocalyptic comedy of horrors...with acid clarity...Fight Club only achieves something only terrifying books do - it tells us: this is how we live now. Maybe our generation has finally found its Don DeLillo" (Bret Easton Ellis )
"Like a noxious Doug Coupland, Palahiuk charts new-felt and totally contemporary categories of despair" (Ali Smith Guardian )
"An immensely skillful writer" (Daily Telegraph )
"Short, sharp and savage, this haunting and strikingly original American urban nightmare is the most impressive US fiction début I can remember in years" (Glasgow Herald )
"An outrageously suspenseful apocalyptic comedy of horrors...with acid clarity...Fight Club only achieves something only terrifying books do - it tells us: this is how we live now. Maybe our generation has finally found its Don DeLillo" (Bret Easton Ellis )
"Like a noxious Doug Coupland, Palahiuk charts new-felt and totally contemporary categories of despair" (Ali Smith Guardian )
"An immensely skillful writer" (Daily Telegraph )
"Short, sharp and savage, this haunting and strikingly original American urban nightmare is the most impressive US fiction début I can remember in years" (Glasgow Herald )
Book Description
Chuck Palahniuk's subversive, savagely funny debut - the story which defined a generation.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By P. Smyth
Format:Paperback
I would venture to say that years from now critics and everyone else will place Chuck Palahniuk along with other greats. He's really come up with a new genre, and one that is far edgier than anything that has come before. While he probably owes a debt of gratitude to William Burroughs, Hunter Thompson, and even Vonnegut, he's really in a class by himself.
A few things make this book like no other: First, it is extremely violent (think CLOCKWORK ORANGE) only with more focus and drive. Also a different type of violence. Second, it has one heck of a plot--something a lot of "new age" books don't, or even classics for that matter. The idea for the novel is mind-bending on so many levels that there's simply not enough space to go into it here. Suffice it to say that if you read if for the surface story you won't be disappointed, but if you want to dig more and really get into the psychological implications that this book proposes, subtly, then you have quite a lot to ponder.
Our protagonist in this first-rate book is named Jack and he's a sort of everyman, though with a new twist. He hates his job (who doesn't?) and is one messed up guy. Jack meets Tyler (Durden), who makes soap and a lot more, if you know what I mean. Between these two guys, they develop a "fight club" so that other frustrated men can be the heck out of each other, releasing their tensions, macho-bonding, and just about everything else you could throw into the mix. The novel develops a little slowly at first, but by two thirds of the way into it, you'll be hooked and wanting to know what happens to the characters. The ending is like no other and no spoilers will be placed here--you'll just have to read it.
One other notable point is that the movie follows the book pretty much on cue. The book does illuminate side stories and makes clear some of the things the movie left murky. It's a rare thing for a movie to respect a book to this extent, but obviously the film makers really liked the work and wanted to preserve it in its purest form. They did a heck of a job, but even if you've seen the film, you should read the book.
Weird and fast-paced,I was reminded of either "Slaughterhouse Five" or "Clockwork Orange" in places with their twisted plots and characterizations. All of Palahniuk's books are great, but this is his best by far. Also try "Invisible Monsters" and "Lullaby" for another trip entirely.
A few things make this book like no other: First, it is extremely violent (think CLOCKWORK ORANGE) only with more focus and drive. Also a different type of violence. Second, it has one heck of a plot--something a lot of "new age" books don't, or even classics for that matter. The idea for the novel is mind-bending on so many levels that there's simply not enough space to go into it here. Suffice it to say that if you read if for the surface story you won't be disappointed, but if you want to dig more and really get into the psychological implications that this book proposes, subtly, then you have quite a lot to ponder.
Our protagonist in this first-rate book is named Jack and he's a sort of everyman, though with a new twist. He hates his job (who doesn't?) and is one messed up guy. Jack meets Tyler (Durden), who makes soap and a lot more, if you know what I mean. Between these two guys, they develop a "fight club" so that other frustrated men can be the heck out of each other, releasing their tensions, macho-bonding, and just about everything else you could throw into the mix. The novel develops a little slowly at first, but by two thirds of the way into it, you'll be hooked and wanting to know what happens to the characters. The ending is like no other and no spoilers will be placed here--you'll just have to read it.
One other notable point is that the movie follows the book pretty much on cue. The book does illuminate side stories and makes clear some of the things the movie left murky. It's a rare thing for a movie to respect a book to this extent, but obviously the film makers really liked the work and wanted to preserve it in its purest form. They did a heck of a job, but even if you've seen the film, you should read the book.
Weird and fast-paced,I was reminded of either "Slaughterhouse Five" or "Clockwork Orange" in places with their twisted plots and characterizations. All of Palahniuk's books are great, but this is his best by far. Also try "Invisible Monsters" and "Lullaby" for another trip entirely.
29 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Like many, I had heard of the book "Fight Club" after seeing the movie. As soon as I found out that it was based on a novel, I remember thinking to myself;
How could this be a book?
Is that even possible?
The movie alone was so unbelievable that if it were done wrong, it would've been a horrible mess. But it was done just right, and the results were amazing.
One of my friends had read the book and told me on many occasions, "You've got to read the book." I told him that I've already seen the movie, and again, he says to me, "You've got to read the book. It's great, and it's actually different from the movie in a lot of parts."
That worried me, because I absolutely LOVED the movie. It's one of my favorites. I remember trying to read a book that another one of my favourite movies, "The Fan," was based on, and it was not an enjoyable experience. The book was COMPLETELY different from the movie, and not in a good way. I ended up never finishing it.
So, I was hesitant at first, but about a year or two ago I decided to give it a shot. And am I ever glad that I did. "Fight Club" is an outstanding novel. The writing is so refreshing and shows us the mind of a promising new author, Chuck Palahniuk. This was his very first novel, and I found that so amazing. Because this was one incredible debut. I have read plenty of novels all from different kinds of authors, but I have NEVER read a debut as incredible or impressive as this.
To give you a brief idea of what the book is about without giving away too much is it revolves around the narrator, an insomniac who can't get a grip on his life. With insomnia everything is a distraction. He can't focus on his job, he can't focus on people, and most of all, he can't focus on his life. Soon enough, he meets a slippery soap salesman, Tyler Durden, who is about to show our narrator a new outlook on life. And this is where they invent "Fight Club." It doesn't take long before everything starts to get out of control....WAY out of control, to one shocking climax and finale. (Don't think you have the answers because you've seen the movie. TRUST me on this one.)
This is a humorous novel with some darkness to it. It is both funny and thrilling at the same time. The book is filled with some of the most memorable lines; some that were used in the movie, others that were not. This is dark satire at its finest.
Know this; reading the book and watching the movie are two different experiences. Yes, there are similarities and there are differences. The only thing is that unlike "The Fan," the differences in the novel "Fight Club" really work and doesn't take away anything from anyone who was a fan of the film. It still stays true to the idea and story. Chances are you will enjoy the differences. That alone gives you a reason for reading, since you know it's going to be a different ride.
After reading "Fight Club," I knew that Chuck Palahniuk had a unique voice and talent. And I have found myself to be right from reading some of his other novels. (So far I have read this, "Choke," and "Lullaby.") This is a very easy book to read. Not for people who get grossed out easily, though. If you have seen the movie, read the book. If not, still read the book. I can't really say which is better, the movie or the book. To me, they were both different experiences, and I found them both just as enjoyable. But one thing for sure, all the credit should be given to Palahniuk. After all, "Fight Club" came from his mind. A terrific read and one of my favourites.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A fist full of teeth and bleedoing gums all set in a literary backdrop that will make you squirm as you read it. Get a copy of this better than the film, and I thought the film was fantastic.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 868 reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love it!
This book is so gripping, I found that after reading this book a few times I've become so aware of others conformity to society, I've learnt so much from this book. Read more
Published 22 days ago by Fi.Wiltshire
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book will change your life
Palahniuk has created something unique. Fight Club is almost it's very own genre - it will change how you think about everything, not always in a positive way either, but then... Read more
Published 26 days ago by A Evans
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved Every Bit!
This book was great, right length. I didn't lose interest once! It wa gritty, entertaining and really dark. But I loved that. So clever. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kate
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing
As utterly hypnotic as it is viscerally brutal. Definitely worth a read for those craving a narrative richly pulsing with deft subversion.
Published 1 month ago by Saf
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fight Club
I found the fight club very entertaining, it was a hard book to put down. Would recommend it to anyone.
Published 1 month ago by Samuel Jenkins
5.0 out of 5 stars
Glorious.
Oh wow.
Everything I hoped it would be, and much more.
Palahniuk is intense. I must read his other works.
Everything I hoped it would be, and much more.
Palahniuk is intense. I must read his other works.
Published 2 months ago by Camilla Paffey
5.0 out of 5 stars
The first great thing about this book...
Is the Author's afterword at the end of the novel. Here Chuck explains how he began the book, and how it changed the reading world-eventually. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Lottie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just read it for the 3rd time. Can't wait to read it again.
I always enjoy this book, it makes me feel alive, it makes all the noise of TV, consumerism etc go away. Read more
Published 2 months ago by warfarin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book
I watched the film before the book (as I didn't know it originated from a novel at the time) and loved the movie, so I was a little uncertain with reading this as I tend to prefer... Read more
Published 2 months ago by A. Quinn
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Modern Classic
Giving a tremendous perspective on life with a split personality, Fight Club offers a challenging, but ultimately gripping read. Recommended to all who can read.
Published 2 months ago by Joseph Rejek
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
